Two Singaporeans and two Malaysians have been charged in court over alleged workplace corruption involving more than $530,000 in bribes, as well as offences including money laundering, forgery and giving false information to a public officer.According to a Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) press release, those charged are: Singaporean company directors Panneerselvam s/o Arunasalam from H&A Engineering Pte Ltd and Tan Swee Soon from San Hoe Hardware Pte Ltd, as well as Malaysian nationals Logeswaran Bandiyya, a former shift engineer, and Lim Siew Teng, a former manager.The various offences allegedly occurred in 2021 and 2022, and primarily involved 45-year-old Logeswaran from REC Solar Pte Ltd.Sought another $310k after receiving $220k in bribesThe CPIB alleged that between July and December 2021, Lim and Tan conspired to give Logeswaran gratification totalling $220,000 in the form of cash cheques and bank transfers, as an inducement for him to render assistance to their company, San Hoe, and further its business interests with REC.

Timor-Leste conferred its highest honour, the Order of Timor-Leste (Grand Collar), on Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Friday (July 3). In an earlier statement issued on July 1, the Prime Minister's Office said that the award recognises Singapore's contributions to Timor-Leste's national development, and support for its membership in the Association of Southeast Asian nations (Asean).The country became the bloc's 11th member in October 2025.PM Wong received the Order of Timor-Leste (Grand Collar) from President Jose Ramos-Horta a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Dili.In his remarks at the conferment ceremony, PM Wong said he is receiving the award on behalf of Singapore and the many Singaporeans who have contributed to the friendship between the two countries. «The award belongs to those who have served here over the years – conducting training, sharing professional knowledge, building capabilities, and living and working alongside our Timorese friends in support of nation-building,» the prime minister added.

A 70-year-old man died after reportedly falling into the sea while unloading cargo off Pulau Ubin on Wednesday (July 1). The deceased, identified as Huang Laiming (transliteration), was a boatman and had been transporting construction supplies to Pulau Ubin on behalf of a contractor, according to Chinese publication 8world. He had reportedly finished unloading the cargo and was standing at the front of a boat when he lost his balance and fell into the sea. He then struck his head on a rock in the water and later died from his injuries.In response to AsiaOne's queries, the police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted at about 2pm to the incident at 91 Loyang Way, which is the address of both the Police Coast Guard's Loyang Base and the Loyang Marine Fire Post.The deceased was retrieved from the waters and taken unconscious to Changi General Hospital, where he later died, the authorities said. Boatman for over 10 yearsOne of the deceased's younger brothers, Huang, told the Chinese news outlet that he learned of the accident after receiving a call from workers at the scene. 

Pek Kio resident Uncle Thien, famed for using twigs to create portraits on walkways, has died at 83.The retiree was a familiar face around the neighbourhood, often choosing to work on his art in the vicinity of Block 44 Owen Road.MP Alvin Tan, who oversees the Moulmein-Cairnhill division of Tanjong Pagar GRC, paid tribute to the talented twig artist on social media on Thursday (July 2).Uncle Thien was «happiest» when he assembled figures out of twigs in a quiet public spot, said Tan, who first met the elderly man in 2020.«Uncle Thien is dear to us in Pek Kio. He was unwell recently and passed on yesterday (July 1)...Attended his wake today and met his family who told us how he felt so at home here with us,» he added.«We will miss him.» 

Singapore will open up selected sectors and occupations to Timor-Leste workers next year, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on Friday (July 3), during his two-day official visit to the country.Describing it as a «win-win initiative», PM Wong said at the joint press conference with his Timor-Leste counterpart Xanana Gusmao that this will be a valuable partnership for both sides. «(It will allow) Timorese people to gain skills and work experience, and then come back eventually to contribute to Timor-Leste. At the same time, it helps to meet the manpower needs of Singapore in selected sectors,» he explained.The prime minister also pointed out that the move goes beyond being an economic initiative, and could build closer people-to-people ties and business-to-business exchanges, thereby facilitating further cooperation in future.Echoing the point, Timor-Leste PM Gusmao highlighted that human resources is one of the «greatest challenges» faced by the developing country.

Shell on Thursday (July 2) posted fuel prices adjustments twice as Caltex and Sinopec caught up with price changes.In a second price board update at 6pm, Shell announced a 7-cent reduction to its diesel price, following an earlier 5-cent drop across its petrol offerings at 9am.Caltex's subsequent 5-cent reduction across its petrol offerings and 7-cent drop on its diesel offering was followed by Sinopec's 5-cent reduction across its petrol  offerings.But Sinopec kept its diesel price unchanged.Following the latest round of adjustments, the price of the more popular 95-octane petrol now ranges from $2.59 at Cnergy to $3.42 at Esso and SPC.Meanwhile, the price of diesel ranges from $2.58 at Smart Energy to $4.12 at Esso.